Arun Randhawa doesn’t think its fair that he can’t get a security pass to work on the Vancouver waterfront just because his brother are convicted drug smugglers.

But the Federal Court of Canada has ruled that it was reasonable for the Minister of Transport to deny the pass to Randhawa because of his sibling association. Both his brother Alexie and Alvin are also longshoreman. When Alexie was being sentenced in California for possessing 107 kilos of cocaine in 2008, both Arun and Alvin wrote reference letters for him.

Judge René Leblanc said that Randhawa’s brothers, Alexie and Alvin, were involved in“serious criminal activities” that were relevant “to the security of marine transportation.”

Alexie was arrested in California in 2008 with 107 kilograms of cocaine. He served four years of a five-year sentence before returning to Canada and his job as a Vancouver longshoreman in November 2012.

And Alvin pleaded guilty in New York State last August to conspiracy to export cocaine from the U.S. from July 2010 until May 2011.

A large shipment of cocaine was seized from his Canadian drug ring on Sept. 8, 2010, his plea agreement says, after which Alvin and two others “began planning future smuggling runs from the United States to Canada” using tractor-trailers.

Alvin was supposed to be sentenced on July 5. But his hearing has been adjourned until July 26.

Arun Randhawa had argued to the Federal Court that he has had minimal contact with his brothers over the years and that he is a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record.

“He says that he did not choose his family and that there is nothing he can do, legally, to dissociate himself from his brothers,” Leblanc noted. “He adds that there is clear evidence that he is a person of impeccable character, moral judgment and trustworthiness which does not make him susceptible to subornation from a family member or anyone else.”

But Leblanc said “that because of his association to his brothers, there were reasonable grounds to suspect that there is a risk … that he be suborned to commit an act or to assist or abet any person to commit an act that might constitute a risk to marine transportation.”

In its case against Randhawa, Transport Canada referred to a police report that said his brothers were members of “an organized crime group involved in cross border narcotics smuggling” that had links with “the Hells Angels, the Japanese Mafia, and Chinese criminals.”

Randhawa argued that “he did not condone, encourage or benefit from any of their activities,” Leblanc said.

“The applicant also claimed to be committed to a pro-social life and highlighted that he had successfully completed other security clearance applications that enabled him to obtain a Nexus card as well as licenses for non-restricted firearms.”

Leblanc said that Randhawa was aware of his brothers’ criminality and that both lived in the family home with him until each was arrested on their U.S. charges.

While living together, they each had access to each other’s vehicles. The gang task force pulled over Randhawa in 2010 while he was driving one brother’s car.

“In such context, I find that the applicant’s association with his brothers provided the minister, in the totality of circumstances, with a rational basis for holding a reasonable suspicion of subornation and potential risk to marine transport security,” Leblanc ruled.

Randhawa was hired as a casual longshoreman in 2013. He can continue to work on the docks, but will not be able to access restricted areas or perform certain tasks without the security clearance.

Kim what about other work that people with a criminal record can work, maybe you should write on them as well. Theirs people building houses who have criminal records, driving trucks, real estate agents, own retail business, own stocks and the list goes on, I think the only reason why this is even an article is about how fianancially well we do. Say if we were making 15 $ an hour it wouldn’t even be an article but I guess it is what it is cheers for all the homies who got paid 85$ an hour on Canada day and are closer to buying a house in Vancouver

The key difference is that the port is supposed to have extra security – just like an airport – given the possibility of organized crime or terrorists to misuse it for their own illicit agenda. I understand people with criminal records need to work legitimately and I think that is a good thing. But if their record is for drug trafficking or if they have links to gangs or organized crime, they should not have jobs in high-scurity locations.

Kim why dont u just leave the longshoremen alone. You always do stories about how its so corrupt and highpaying or whatever. Without longshoremen, nothing would enter the country. No food, oil, electronics, furniture and literally everything in your house. Almost everything is imported and it is thru the ports which are manned by longshoremen. Either leave them alone, or throw out all of your possessions that are not “Made in Canada”

I have no issue with the vast majority of longshoremen who are working hard on the docks. I write about people involved in gangs and organized crime and so when longshoremen are charged or alleged to have those links and I can document it, I write those stories. I will continue to do so. I believe there should be the same security checks for regular port passes that there are for the high-security areas. That would take care of the few people involved in criminality.

It is newsworthy even if you think this guy has been unfairly denied his security pass. Both his brothers are also longshoremen. he wrote a reference letter for the first brother’s sentencing hearing. And I have written a lot about organized crime infiltrating the port, so I cover all these cases.

How long does it take for Pte results?
As per the Pearson website, you need to wait for 5 business days. In these 5 days, you will see these statuses. You will have you scores, with in 24 hours after the status is scores reportable. You will also receive an email indicating that score report is available in your Pearson account.